Orestis Karnezis has dismissed the notion that Marco Silva's links with Everton impacted the players and is confident Watford can steer clear of a relegation battle.

Speaking after the defeat at Leicester City and before Silva was dismissed as Watford head coach, Karnezis admitted the mood in the dressing room was bad.

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez consigned Silva's Hornets to their eighth defeat in 11 league games and by Sunday evening, with Silva gone and Javi Gracia appointed, the gap between Watford and the relegation zone stood at four points.

Silva's demise and Watford being drawn back into the mess at the bottom of the table has been widely attributed to the Portuguese's desire to move to Goodison Park.